The first event of the Grand Magic Games, "Stealth," featured the following participants from the eight competing guilds:
Fairy Tail A Team: Calvin
Fairy Tail B Team: Laxus
Sabertooth: Rufus
Raven Tail: Nalputink
Lamia Scale: Lyon
Blue Pegasus: Hibiki
Mermaid Heel: Beth
Quatro Cerberus: Yago
A host would oversee the event's progression in every Grand Magic Games. This time, it was the quirky pumpkin mascot. Following its lead, the eight contestants gathered in the center of the arena, awaiting the start of the competition.
Before the heated competition began, there was always some warm-up commentary. The commentator asked, "The competition is finally about to begin. Mr. Yajima, do you have any favorite contestants?"
"Hmm... While Rufus from Sabertooth is quite formidable, I have heard that Fairy Tail's Calvin defeated Jellal, who was one of the Ten Wizard Saints seven years ago. Moreover, Laxus from the same guild is said to be no less powerful. This match promises to be very exciting," Yajima commented.
The audience was excited, and Jura from Lamia Scale smiled, thinking, "He defeated that man as well? What a formidable opponent."
"What? The Jellal who destroyed the former Magic Council? That's really something to look forward to. And you, Jenny?" the commentator, equally surprised, turned to Blue Pegasus's Jenny, who was a guest commentator.
"Of course, our Hibiki is the strongest!" Jenny declared without hesitation, supporting her guild's handsome member. Naturally, she needed to be better-versed in comparing the strengths of these powerful mages.
The atmosphere was tense as the eight contestants stood together, now rivals. Seeing Laxus, Calvin couldn't help but smile. "Couldn't wait, could you, Pikachu?"
"I rarely get the chance to fight you. I have to seize the opportunity," Laxus coldly replied, ignoring Calvin's nickname for him. He knew Calvin wouldn't change it regardless.
The banter eased the tension slightly, but some people always knew how to ruin the mood—namely, Raven Tail's Nalputink, who said, "Please wait a moment."
"We don't even know what this event entails. No, we don't know any of the upcoming events. Doesn't having two Fairy Tail members give them an unfair advantage?"
Nalputink was a short, hunchbacked man with an abnormally large head and a comically shaped chin that looked like misplaced buttocks. He also had two tufts of hair on either side. His words dripped with malice.
Laxus merely smirked, not bothering to argue. He found it beneath him. Calvin, on the other hand, could have been more patient.
"So, you're already making excuses for your failure?" Calvin sneered. "No wonder you're from a former dark guild. Blaming the rules for your loss. If you're so scared, just withdraw now and don't sully the honor of competing with the rest of us!"
"What did you say?!" Nalputink was furious. Calvin's words were a direct insult, suggesting Raven Tail lacked the courage. An arrogant man like him couldn't tolerate such provocation.
"What he said isn't wrong," Rufus interjected. "My memory sings praises. Having two members doesn't necessarily give them an advantage."
With Rufus's statement, the other contestants also agreed. Seven years ago, Fairy Tail's reputation was well-known. Unless the situation was dire, expecting them to cooperate was laughable. They were more likely to fight each other.
Nalputink had no choice but to fall silent, planning to target the Fairy Tail members during the competition.
With the bickering over, the competition officially began. Following the pumpkin mascot's command, the arena transformed into a city street, with the contestants dispersed throughout.
Magical screens appeared, displaying the participants' actions.
"Impressive. This looks as real as my summons," Calvin mused. "Stealth must involve hiding. I wonder who'll play the seeker."
"The rules are simple. Everyone is both a seeker and a hider. You can use any magic. Landing a hit on another contestant earns you a point," the pumpkin mascot's voice boomed throughout the arena.
Countless duplicates of the contestants appeared, mingling with the surroundings.
"If you hit a duplicate, you lose a point. If you're hit or hit a duplicate, you'll respawn in a different area after ten seconds. The event lasts thirty minutes, with points determining the ranking. Now, vanish into the shadows like a black cat in the night!"
"Stealth—begin!!!"
With the sound of a gong, the event commenced.
Calvin strolled casually, blending seamlessly with the duplicates, his expression giving nothing away.
"As I suspected, while it's called 'Stealth,' finding others is key. Hiding here is easy," Calvin thought. "But for me, finding them is even easier. No one can hide their magic from me."
A smile spread across his face as he sensed everyone's location. Now, he just needed to approach them.
His first target was naturally Raven Tail.
To his surprise, Nalputink seemed to be moving towards him, as if he also had a way of locating Calvin.
"In that case, I'll wait for him," Calvin decided, changing his route and moving slowly.
It didn't take long for Nalputink to catch up. Calvin sensed him behind him.
"Hehehe, found you, Fairy Tail," Nalputink sneered. Coincidentally, a duplicate appeared before Calvin, and Nalputink's voice seemed to come from it, luring Calvin to attack the duplicate.
"Brave of you to show yourself," Calvin thought, feigning deception as he faced the duplicate.
"If you don't attack, I'll take you down. Although this event allows unlimited respawns, heavy attacks are still permitted."
"Hehe? So confident? Come at me then~"
Calvin raised his hand, magic surging.
"Attack, foolish Fairy!" Nalputink thought, eager to see Calvin's frustration when he realized he hit a duplicate.
"Magic Art Number Four: Black Coffin!" Calvin's cold voice echoed, his immense magic power shaking the arena. All eyes turned towards him, and the audience was sweating nervously.
"Such terrifying magic! But it's useless if it doesn't hit!" Nalputink was shocked by Calvin's power but still confident.
A massive, dark cuboid appeared, with numerous black cross-shaped blades at the top, enveloping Nalputink in a terrifying aura.
Realizing the attack was aimed at him, not the duplicate, Nalputink panicked. He activated his magic, spikes emerging from his body, hoping to break free.
But before he could act, countless shadow blades emerged from the darkness, accompanied by a crushing gravitational force, twisting his body.
In an instant, Nalputink lost consciousness, overwhelmed by the pain and power of the Black Coffin.
Perhaps he was lucky to pass out early, avoiding further suffering. His last thought was regret—why did he confront Calvin directly?